In March this year my youngest son had a ruptured appendix. He was quite ill and it took several weeks before he could go back fulltime to school. His health has been poor ever since which the surgeon says often happens. Now the truancy people are on my back every time he goes sick. This last fortnight he has been home because of a viral infection which caused laryngitis, vomiting and bowel problems and now it is on his chest and he has bronchitis. Obviously I wouldn't send him to school. They arrived on my doorstep and insisted he be taken to the doctor and that I have notes from the doctor about his appendectomy and his present chest complaint. I'm beginning to think that they think I am keeping him at home to help me, which I've never done. My GP is nonplussed as he's never had to do this before.

you think they would spend there time sorting out the kids who just dont want to go to school insted of hounding a sick child

get ur doc to phone the bug*ers everytime hes ill, they will soon stop when its them being hounded

think its a new crack down as everytime my wee ones off school i get calls to check if its illness or a hospital appointment thats the cause so they can fill in the right code, its definatly a pain in the bum as my wee ones frequently ill, you think they could put a note on the files of children that sadly dont enjoy good health

i have had this with my sons school lately. i just ring in every day and tell them that he is not coming in. they are as sick of it as i am but what else do they want me to do? he cant walk or stand unaided and although he has very recently got a wheelchair to help him get about he is in a lot of pain and every day is different.

If he is well enough to go to school i will send him. if not then he stays at home.

All i can suggest is that you tell school repeatedly about his illness and insist that they send you some work home to help him keep up.

I have had numerous conversations and made innumerable phonecalls, letters etc. They just keep turning up on my doorstep threatening to prosecute. They accused me of not taking steps to make him better as I didn't take him to the doctors for this local virus infection. The school is supposed to post him work on the internet. They arranged an account for him to log into but nothing is ever posted.

keep badgering school to provide work for him as the teachers tend to forget about it if you dont.

i would not worry about the school bobbies but continue to let school know when he is not going in, contact your GP and tell them that you are becoming stressed with all the hassle and can they provide you with a sick note for your son.

I had all this hassle with my son. When you have a sick child the last thing you need is Education Welfare giving you grief. I found that a letter from the Consultant at the Children's Hospital copied to Education Welfare did the trick.

I wish you well getting work for your son. My son has a long term health problem, and the response from a well respected school in the South West of the city was it wasn't their responsibility to provide him with work. Again, after a considerable time the hospital came to my aid. As my son's problem is long term he was referrd to The Hospital/Home Education Service. They are the unsung heroes of the Education Dept. Their resourses are limited, they could do with more funding, but their teachers are fantastic.

Keep the pressure on the school - try contacting the Head. Your son has enough to deal with without having to deal without loss of confidence over missed work.

I hope that your son is soon on the road to recovery. Good luck to you both.